barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum and especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns and three spikelets at each joint of the rachis

also : its seed used especially in malt beverages, breakfast foods, and stock feeds

Examples of barley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Budweiser, one of the farmers featured in the 2026 Super Bowl ad is Brian Fransen, a real-life Budweiser barley farmer. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026

Other whole grain porridges, such as barley and brown rice, offer similar health benefits due to their high fiber and nutrient content. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 26 Jan. 2026

Among the primi to try—strangolapreti and menudoli pastas, barley risottos and polenta with mushrooms. —Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

The drinks were crafted from grains such as millet, rice, wheat and barley. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English barly, from Old English bærlic of barley; akin to Old English bere barley, Latin far spelt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing barley

• barley-bree
• barley-broo
• barley sugar
• barley wine

Rhymes for barley

• charley
• charlie
• marly
• bizarrely

Kids Definition

barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass with flowers in dense spikes

also : its seed used especially in malt beverages, in foods (as soups and cereals), or as feed for livestock

Medical Definition

barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum, especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns

also : its seed used in malt beverages and in breakfast foods and stock feeds